PTertacks
DON'T INTERRUPT ME WHEN I'M TALKING
Jan Jaeger
Iseldom buy books in hard cover, just like I seldom see a movie in the theater. I'm not making a statement; I just never seem to get going quick enough. An exception a few years back was the book "The Dogs of Babel," which I couldn't wait to read after seeing the reviews. This unusual story is about the quest of a grieving widower to understand the cause of his wife's death, observed only by their dog, Lorelei. He thinks he can teach Lorelei to talk so she will tell him what happened on that final afternoon.

It would be wonderful indeed if our dogs could talk, to tell us what they think, what they have seen during the day, what they want for dinner or where it hurts. Of course, dogs already do have a simple language, a range of vocal sounds that convey feelings of joy, fear, excitement, greeting or pain.

But barking is what dogs mostly do, and they usually do it for a reason. Statistical analysis of barking has proven that barks can be divided into sub categories. Stress-induced barking, such as that of a dog that has been left home alone, is a higher-pitched, repetitive bark. Rapid barking in mid-range, which can be just a few barks or can be sustained, is usually meant to be informative about a change in the situation, alerting its pack.

A lower pitched bark, which starts out quiet and may include a growl, is in response to a threat. One or two short, sharp barks are typical of a canine greeting, but a single, sharp bark usually means a snippy warning to man or beast: "Leave me be!"

Unlike their parent species, the wolf, which seldom barks and which howls only in specific situations, dogs bark frequently and in many different situations. Virtually all dogs bark, with the exception of the basenji, whose sound is often described as soft howling or yodeling. Some breeds, such as terriers, were bred to bark when excited to facilitate tracking them when hunting their prey or vermin underground. Herding dogs also bark as a way to communicate with and control their flocks.

Aside from conveying a message or a warning and from being used in working, barking can be a problem if excessive or bothersome to your neighbors.

In fact, one third of all behavioral complaints involve nuisance barking.

Teaching your dog when it's acceptable to bark and when to be quiet is an important discipline. This can be a challenging task, because when you give any vocal responses to a barking dog, including yelling, your dog thinks you are just holding up your end of the conversation.

The key is training your dog when to stop. Pick a word such as "quiet" or "enough," hold up your hand and give praise and a treat if the barking ceases. Only praise and treat when the dog is quiet. Sometimes, showing the treat is enough of a distraction to interrupt the barking. Another way is to call your dog to you or give a "down" command. Calling your dog can interrupt the barking cycle and dogs seldom bark when lying down.

If excessive barking is an issue at your house, try to figure out what triggers the behavior. Excessive barking can often occur when a dog is left alone outside. Bored and with little social contact, the dog is lonely and seeks attention. The obvious solution here is to bring your dog inside.

However, there are times in every dog's life when he needs to be able to be alone. If your dog has destructive tendencies, crate training can be a life saver. Most dogs will love their crate and will feel secure and comfortable if left with a cozy mat and a favorite toy or treat as part of the routine.

If your dog is dependable in the house, leave a sack lunch for him to explore on his own. Fill a paper bag with treats and toys, tightly folding over the top. Junior loves his Everlasting Treat Ball. The conical wafers provided by the manufacturer provide chewing entertainment, but Junior will happily work at removing dog biscuits stuffed through the center flaps of the ball. Getting his ball means he's staying home.

For the anxious dog, try varying your departure routine. Dogs are keen on visual cues, so send different signals. Go through a different order when leaving or proceed as usual and then stay home.

Also, exercise is an important stress-reliever. A good walk or a strenuous outdoor play session before leaving can reduce tension. Turn on the radio or television for reassuring background sounds.

Behavior modification takes time, so hang tough. If your dog barks when he wants something - to eat, to play or to go out - try not to shut him up by acquiescing. Wait until your dog is quiet for at least 30 seconds before responding. Otherwise, he rules.

If all else fails, a citronella no-bark collar is a safe, effective and humane aid. The dog smells and hears a brief burst of citronella spray when activated by a bark, which interrupts the barking cycle. It works on

all sizes of dogs. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Willie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.